At the start of his tenure last year, Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee asked all Rotarians “to reach within to embrace humanity.” The best way for Rotarians from Northern Maine and New Brunswick to embrace humanity is to start in their backyards by embracing their neighbors. The determination and compassion of people froma specific region can be seen in numerous ways. For our region for Rotarians, these qualities pervade all our local projects that are changing our physical and social landscape.
Rotary is an international service organization, but reaching within one’s community to establish a solid foundation for growth certainly opens up greater opportunity to reach out to others around the world. President Banerjee understands the possibility that comes from the solidarity of one’s internal and external surroundings.
• Houlton Rotary hosted a recognition lunch for area high school students, picked over 20,000 ears of corn with Friends of Aroostook to donate to New England food pantries, and donated funds to feed, clothe, and develop our children.
• Limestone Rotary hosted Fun in the Snow Day. This annual event brings families together outdoors and encourages community organizations to interact with residents through recreation.
• Fort Fairfield Rotary added beauty to Main Street with scenic and historic banners.
• Machias Rotary Club hosted the Wild Blueberry Festival Pancake Breakfast.
• Presque Isle Rotary used proceeds from their annual TV auction to fund numerous projects throughout the community.
